DJI Mini 3 Released – Affordable Sub-249g Drone Without Front/Back Sensors and 4K60 Video

Drone News

by Jakub HanDecember 9^th, 2022

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The newly announced DJI Mini 3 is a sub-249g drone that brings a more affordable entry-level alternative to the DJI Mini 3 Pro. With its 12MP 1/1.3-inch sensor, it can shoot video in up to 4K30 or 2.7K60 in H.264 8-bit with only the normal color profile. The drone also lacks the front & back sensors of the Mini 3 Pro. Offering a maximum flight time of 38 minutes, the DJI Mini 3 is now available as Fly More Combo options starting at $718 or standalone in early 2023 starting at $469.

Today, DJI’s lightest sub-249g foldable drone series is getting a new model. After the DJI Mini 3 Pro, which was announced back in May 2022, the Chinese tech company is now bringing out the DJI Mini 3. This new product is supposed to be the new entry-level lightweight drone that kind of blends the existing Mini 2 and 3 Pro into one. This release is a similar move to what DJI did last month with the announcement of the DJI Mavic 3 Classic. Let’s take a look at the details of the new Mini 3.

DJI Mini 3 – No side sensors, 4K60 and H.265 10-bit

As I mentioned above, the new Mini 3 is the more affordable Mini 3 Pro’s sibling but with a few limitations. The most visible difference is the lack of front and back sensors which the pro version has. Another difference is the lack of 4K50 and 4K60 recording modes and 10-bit color.

Just like the Pro version, the Mini 3 features a 12MP (actually a 48MP with 4 pixels binned into 1) 1/1.3-inch image sensor paired with the 24mm equivalent f/1.7 lens. Unlike the Mini 3 Pro, the Mini 3 cannot actually output 48MP photos. The stills here are available up to 4000×3000 pixels in either JPEG or DNG raw format.

Similar to the Mini 2, the video recording is available only in H.264 (MP4) with up to 100Mbps 8-bit 4:2:0 in the following resolutions and framerates (up to 30fps also optional with HDR output):

• 4K: 3840×2160 – 24/25/30 fps
• 2.7K: 2720×1530 – 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps
• FHD: 1920×1080 – 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps

There is no D-Cinelike color profile, only “normal”. My guess is that DJI paired the new larger sensor and gimbal unit from the Mini 3 Pro with the older image processor from the Mini 2. The good thing about the new gimbal camera is that it can be rotated 90° for better panoramic photos or for vertical content and it can also tilt and film upwards up to 80°.

Another difference to the Mini 3 Pro is the wireless protocol for remote video and control. Whereas the Pro uses DJI O3, the new Mini 3 only flies using the older DJI O2. Still, the Mini 3 can send 720p/30fps live feed from up to 10 km away in FCC mode or up to 6km away in CE mode. The maximum flight time per battery is 38 minutes.

Just like the Mini 2, the new Mini 3 features downward-facing sensors only. As a sub-249g drone, it is exempt from most drone regulations in several parts of the world. The Mini 3 is compatible with the DJI RC-N1 controller as well as the new DJI RC.

DJI Mini 3 offers QuickShots – a suite of pre-programmed flight and filming paths in both landscape and vertical shooting. These include:

• Dronie: The aircraft flies back and up with the camera locked on the subject.
• Helix: The aircraft flies up and spirals around the subject.
• Rocket: The aircraft flies up with the camera facing down.
• Circle: The aircraft circles around the subject.
• Boomerang: The aircraft flies around the subject in an oval path, ascending as it flies away and descending as it returns.

Price and availability

DJI Mini 3 drone is available now, but only as a part of the Fly More Combos. Other options will become available in early 2023, according to DJI. The following price packages are/will be available:

• Mini 3 drone only (without a controller) will cost $469 (€489 in Europe) – available in early 2023.
• Mini 3 with the DJI RC-N1 controller will cost $559 (€579 in Europe) – available in early 2023.
• Mini 3 with the DJI RC controller will be priced at $699 (€749 in Europe) – available in early 2023.
• Mini 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N1 controller) is priced at $718 (€768 in Europe) – available now.
• Mini 3 Fly More Combo with the DJI RC costs $858 (€938 in Europe) – available now.

The Fly More Combo Plus options with the larger (above 250 g) battery packs will only be available in Australia according to DJI.

Do you fly with one of DJI’s sub-250g drones? What do you think about the new DJI Mini 3? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.